Joan Bakewell is leading an e-petition to the Downing Street website calling on David Cameron to think again on his Government’s unfair raid on vulnerable pensioners announced in last Wednesday’s Budget.

In the same Budget David Cameron and George Osborne gave a £3 billion tax cut to the richest one per cent.

When the petition receives 100,000 signatures, it will be eligible for debate in the House of Commons.

“It is fundamentally unfair that the Government is raiding pensioners’ allowances at the same time as cutting tax for the richest one per cent.“David Cameron and George Osborne’s decision to freeze the personal allowance will affect 4.4 million pensioners. These people stand to lose an average of £83 per year next April. People turning 65 next year will lose up to £323. The claim that it makes things simpler for pensioners to understand adds insult to injury.“I am asking people of all ages to join me - sign up to the e-petition on the Number 10 website for a debate in Parliament, and tell David Cameron and George Osborne to think again on this unfair Budget.”